🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the thrilling final moments of Swansea's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses following the post-goal scrum.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range strike from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the deflection before charging toward the home end to celebrate, with fans swarming the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This completed an extraordinary recovery given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 midway through the latter period. In the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result secured a upcoming match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's long-range effort from about way out going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after they changed tactics. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way Orient approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It appears that they always find their target and they know how to control and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then suddenly they will just thread a ball through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Orient and has quickly done the same in Wales. At his previous team he reunited with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is very different. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without serious challenge. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including two matches encounters against Germany. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This marks an incredible journey for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's single match for United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was closed owing to the weather of -15C. "It was a long trip and it was chilly," he says, grinning. "The preceding week, the academy prospects trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged 16? "It was quite easy, because I reached the point where I realized I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I believed I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the drivers, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, Ronald, the midfielder – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the lads but I'm aiming to be the subsequent individual to drive independently and behind the wheel. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on public transport after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim